Western Crossing

14 Days,
London to Rome

Travel Western Europe the best way

See the best of Western Europe as we make our way from London to the 'Eternal City'. Stand in awe as you marvel at the stunning Swiss Alps. Check out the pretty Paris architecture and leafy boulevards. Get involved in the tapas bars and restaurants of Barcelona. Fall in love with the canals of Venice. Ready for this camping trip? We sure are!

Itinerary

Day 1:
London, England to Paris, France

All good things start with Paris. Meet the crew, grab some supplies and hit the road early in the morning as we jump across the English Channel. Pinch yourself and Instagram your first selfie before we kick off the trip with a driving tour and picnic next to the Eiffel Tower. Home to Coco Chanel, the Pompidou Centre and the Mona Lisa, Paris more than deserves its reputation as the European capital for all things culture, fashion and food. Now’s your chance to find out why.

Included today:
-Driving tour of Paris and gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower

Meals:
-Dinner

Day 2:
Paris

This morning: free time en Français. From the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, you'll be sure to make a solid dent in your bucket list. Later on, you can stretch those legs on an optional bike tour of Paris, or simply roam the streets on your own. End your day with an optional Seine River cruise or a #throwback bohemian cabaret show.

Day 3:
Paris to Swiss Alps, Switzerland

Trade in Parisian streets for snowy peaks. Home to the highest point in Europe, 72 waterfalls and one of the largest nature conservations in Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen is where we'll be spending the night. Upon arrival, chow down on fondue and hit the bar for a nightcap.

Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner

Day 4:
Swiss Alps

Scenic hikes and jaw-dropping views are high on today's agenda. Go low key with a mountain walk or hop on board the Jungfraubahn railway for an optional visit to the Jungfrau Mountain summit.
Expect fairytale villages en route and skydiving out of a helicopter upon arrival (if heights don't scare you). Another feast awaits your return, regardless of how you make your way back down.

Day 5:
Swiss Alps to Avignon, France

This afternoon we crack on to Avignon, home of the magnificent Palais des Papes (aka one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe). Tonight: hit up a local bistro or gather with your Topdecker brethren for a makeshift picnic. Either way, be sure to pair your meal with some local Rhône Valley wine, one of France's finest reds.

Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch

Day 6:
Avignon to Barcelona, Spain

On our way to Barcelona, we’ll check out the Pont du Gard – a 2000-year-old Roman engineered aqueduct. When we get to the Catalonian capital, we’ll take you on a driving tour to see the likes of Montjuïc (where the 1992 Olympics were held) and Gaudi's yet to be finished Sagrada Família. Later: let loose at an optional flamenco show.

Included today:
-Visit Pont du Gard
-Driving tour of Barcelona

Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner

Optional activities:
-Flamenco show

Day 7:
Barcelona

Who needs the snooze button when you’ve got a whole day in a city packed to the rafters with art nouveau, alluring accents and (most importantly) tapas? Hit the side streets and alleyways of Las Ramblas, go boho in the Gracia neighborhood, go Gaudí at Parc Güell or give in to your inner football fanatic and kneel to the sporting gods at the Nou Camp.

Meals:
-Breakfast

Day 8:
Barcelona to French Riviera, France

Get that selfie stick out! We’re rolling north along the coast to rub shoulders with the rich and famous at the world's most lavish waterfront property: the French Riviera. Oh, and by the way – we’ll be making a pit stop at a traditional French perfumery en route. Later, swap your patatas bravas for hearty French cooking and get ready for tomorrow's adventures.

Included today:
-Visit a traditional French perfumery

Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner

Day 9:
French Riviera including Monaco visit

Hit the beach with the paparazzi posse, or go wild in the designer boutiques in Nice's Old Town. Later: roll with the jet set on a guided tour and see how the 1% live (hint: it involves Ferraris and bathing in caviar). Feeling lucky? Hit the tables at the Monte Carlo Casino and make it rain (or not).

Included today:
-Walking tour of Monaco

Meals:
-Breakfast

Day 10:
French Riviera to Venice, Italy

Maketh haste to fair Verona, the place where Romeo and Juliet found love. Snap a selfie at Juliet’s balcony and join throngs of lovers leaving notes on the wall (or avoid the crowds and just marvel at the ancient arena). Then: say ciao to Venice from across the lagoon as we check into our campsite, have an Eat Pray Love-worthy relationship with an irresistible Italian (meal) and get pumped for tomorrow.

Included today:
-Walking tour of Verona

Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner

Optional activities:
-Get a personalised trip T-shirt or hoodie

Day 11:
Venice

You know it as The Floating City, but this place is actually sinking (slowly). Today we’ll check out a who's who of Venice's usual suspects on a guided walking tour (ticking off the likes of St Mark's Square and Accademia Bridge), then jump on a vaporetto to explore the Grand Canal. If that’s not enough, you can also hop on an optional gondola ride. Throw away your map in the afternoon and try to find the world's most epic little bookshop, Libreria Acqua Alta, or just go on a mission to find the perfect gelato.

Included today:
-Walking tour of Venice
-Vaporetto ride

Meals:
-Breakfast

Optional activities:
-Gondola ride

Day 12:
Venice to Florence

Stop for THAT photo at Pisa, then make your food baby sing as we roll into the land of hearty Tuscan cuisine and birthplace of gelato: Florence. Whip around Santa Maria del Fiore before tucking into amore on a plate. The evening is yours to stroll along the the Arno River and watch the sunset. #Bliss

Included today:
-Visit Pisa and the famous Leaning Tower

Meals:
-Breakfast
-Lunch
-Dinner

Day 13:
Florence to Rome

After a walking tour of Florence with a super knowledgeable local guide, it’s up and onwards to Rome. Time to give that bucket list a workout! Make like Caesar (the emperor, not the salad) and work up a ‘colossus’ hunger as you pass by the Pantheon, throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain, sit on the Spanish Steps and visit ancient history's version of the Hunger Games set at the Colosseum. Tonight, you're in Disneyland for foodies. Have fun.

Included today:
-Walking tour of Florence with a local guide
-Walking tour of Rome

Meals:
-Breakfast

Day 14:
Rome

You’re on your own from here as the trip comes to an end. But, Rome wasn't built in a day so why not spend a few more and get to know this ancient powerhouse a little better?

Meals:
-Breakfast

Optional activities:
-Visit the Vatican City

Bucket List Inclusions

Walking tour of Rome

Driving tour of Barcelona

Vaporetto ride in Venice

Driving tour of Paris and gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower

Visit a traditional perfumery in the French Riviera

More Inclusions

13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

9 nights in European campsites in spacious twin-share dome style tents with air mattresses, 4 nights in hostel upgrades

English Channel ferry crossing

Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi

Guided tours of all major cities

Awesome Trip Leader, Driver and Topdeck Chef

Worth Noting

This is a sector of the 34 Day European Adventure trip.

Please bring a soft travel bag with you on this trip. Suitcases cannot be accommodated.

Please note: You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and towels with you on Camping trips.

Group Size

Maximum 45

Transport

Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi, including powerpoints for charging electronics.